A surge in travellers descending on villages in the Cambridge area has forced police to act.

Caravans have pitched up illegally in sites in Fulbourn, Papworth, Cambourne and the Shelfords, officers said.

Travellers also took up residence at Cambridge University’s swish new housing development, Eddington. A group showed up on the university-owned land off Madingley Road just over two weeks ago with around 20 vehicles.

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A group of travellers arrived in Godmanchester on October 3 on Judith’s Field and a parish council is still seeking ways to prevent travellers driving onto their village recreation ground.

An emergency meeting of Stapleford Parish Council was held after about 40 families of travellers arrived at the village recreation ground on Friday, August 11 with the last caravan leaving two days later on Sunday afternoon (August 13) after an eviction notice was served.

Rubbish left at the university's West Cambridge site

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Now a report to village policing panels has outlined how police dealt with the issues.

It said: “Also over the summer period our area has experienced a number of problems in several villages with large groups of people in caravans setting up camp sites in public spaces around Fulbourn, Papworth, Cambourne and the Shelford areas.

“A small amount of crime and disorder along with community disruption has been reported as a result of these camp sites.

“The Constabulary have to use a high threshold to evoke Section 61 powers of the Crime and Disorder Act to effect an immediate removal of unlawful encampments.

“Where these encampments take place we will with local authorities conduct a risk assessment and then take a measured response.

“With the exception of one instance where section 61 was used, the remaining times, the local authority – county council and parish council have taken out their own injunctions and employed bailiffs to remove people unlawfully camped.”

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Sergeant Mark Rabel told the News: “When we receive reports of unauthorised encampments we work with the local council to resolve the situation by visiting the site and speaking to the individuals. Often this action results in people leaving the area without further police involvement.

Caravans on the West Cambridge site 10 days ago

“The local authority or land owners will employ their own bailiffs if necessary. In serious cases we can issue a Section 61 order if the circumstances meet the threshold to warrant that action.”